Remember that phrase from the 80’s? When video arcades were as plentiful as coffee shops are now? Things trend up and down and Recession writing has definitely trended down for me. It’s not wide enough for all the words and thoughts I have, not deep enough for all the questions and debates that are going on. Not quirky enough for who I am. I need a bigger space.

Thanks for coming along on the ride. I’ll leave this up for a while. I’ll let you know what ‘s going on next.

My daughter learned the first eight notes ofRedemption Song yesterday. My favorite Marley song. She’s on her third acoustic guitar lesson. Bob Marley’s Redemption Song is a tale of the journey, of being stolen and sold, and is ultimately a song of faith in oneself.

But my hand was made strong, by the hand of the almighty — We forward in this generation triumphantly

The archaic meaning of the word redemption is the action of buying one’s own freedom. Bob exhorts that beautifully with these lines:

As I read speculation about when the recession will end, how to position oneself for the shifting labor force, how bad things will get before they get better, I think about this song. Marley sings about forward motion, that time doesn’t stop for “atomic energy” and that there will be hard things we must endure, he sings, “some say it’s just a part of it, we’ve got to fulfill de book.” What I know is that change is uncomfortable. While external forces may facilitate that change, the real stuff comes from within.

Don’t look for anyone else to free you of this situation. We free ourselves, it’s all in our hands. Waking up is finally knowing that it’s always been that way.

Won’t you help to sing, these songs of freedom. ‘Cause all I ever have; Redemption songs.”

My best friend is getting married this summer. He’s a super guy, she tells me and though I haven’t met him yet, I believe her. She’s doing the WEDDING. The dress, the bridesmaids, the flowers and the food. All of this is very expensive. Guests must be flown in, dresses ordered, you know the drill. She called the other day to say in a moment of (I’m sure out of bridal frustration) that she wishes that she could just grab her sweetie and get married under an oak tree.

“Why not just do that?” I asked.

“Deposits,” she answered.

Back in the 80’s and 90’s the trend among my exes friends was to get married out of the country, some place exotic, or European, combining a honeymoon locale for the nuptials and vacation destination for those who could afford to come. Folks were hitching up in castles in the South of France, private compounds in the Dominican Republic and on the beach in Costa Rica.

Weddings are expensive, big business for a lot of folks, so no wonder that now the recession is here, elopements are up. Save the money and frustration I say.

I was sworn to secrecy just a month ago when a former co-worker called to tell me that he and his girl were going to do it in New Orleans. Another friend just told me today that she and her beau decided to to do it. They didn’t want the fuss or the expense.

On my list of overrated things, I have to admit, that weddings come in first, followed by luxury cars (they have leather), Twitter and Valentine’s Day.

Buck the system, if you’re in love elope. Forget the deposit and create a day with your lovely that you will remember forever.

How are the chosen ones chosen? Who gets to stay and who is set free to the churning waters and capricious winds of change? I’ve asked those in the hiring position to write about their experience, but I’ve had no takers. I want to insert something smart aleck about not having time between all that head chopping, but that’s not true. The folks I know who have been the ones to deliver the bad news, well it’s pretty traumatic for them too. They know they are changing the trajectory of someone’s life. They don’t sleep well after it’s all done either.

There was an article in the NY Times last week, “When Layoffs Are Immoral.” Randy Cohen, the author, brings up salient points about over-compensated execs, and “equitable methods” that should be tried before anyone is let go, he talks about hour reduction, company-wide pay cuts, etc. His argument is this; large companies must use their political clout to insure a proper safety net for those that have to be let go. That means, health benefits and unemployment benefits that are more substantial than the frayed safety net we operate now. To do anything less is unethical. Cohen gives examples of advanced democracies where this is practiced, health benefits are a given and laid off workers are able to receive 60 to 80 percent of their salary. Cohen notes that a CEO with a million dollar paycheck owes a more “humane management” to the folks who helped him earn it.

I agree with Mr. Cohen, the waters are shifting and I’m still afloat. My hope is that this administration will move us to a more ethical democracy, where the needs of many are considered and the culture of greed is finally dialed down.

I get a lot of email about the recession. Reminding me that I don’t have job security and that things are going to get worse. I read this while at the same time I read how sales are up on $100 yoga mats and the Tween-let chatters about her latest crush, and counts down the days before summer vacation.

Last week my graduate program came to a close, a relationship ended in court and the folks around me began to tell me about their summer plans, pointedly not asking me about mine. I guess they’re trying to be tactful. And the truth is, I don’t have any.

I was so ‘whelmed over’ I threatened to take a credit card vacation as I was slowly blowing a fuse last week, to run away to the desert and indulge in Thai massages and room service. Then I realized how foolish that would be and quickly doused that wet dream. It’s hard to deny yourself things, but times like this teach you to find pleasure in simple things. I used to have a sign above my desk that read: Celebration is served on the platter of sacrifice. A co-worker read it as she passed by and commented, “Edgy motivation, just so edgy.” She was right, I took it down that day.

My latest fortune from a cookie said, “You need not worry about your future.” Not as edgy as the other quote and still motivating in a soothing way. The only thing that has been sacrificed here is my attachment to a certain way of life. The celebration is now ongoing. Breath, the Tween-let, friends, simple things, these are the things I celebrate and the things that will carry me into the future.

I Want Your Story! Talk to Me!

How are you dealing with the Recession?
Were you laid off? Was your spouse or partner?
How are coping?
What are the changes have you made? Hamburger Helper every night? Letting the perm grow out?
Or do you see your favorite businesses closing?
Your neighborhood sprouting foreclosure signs?
What have you lost? What have you gained?
No matter who you are or where you are on this journey, I'd like to hear from you.
Email me at:
RecessionDaily (at) Gmail (dot) (com).

Recession Daily · The experience of a single mom living in the aftermath of the Bush Administration, laid off and looking for work, just like millions of others in this country. I am writing toward the light at the end of this tunnel, knowing something spectacular is just around the bend.